Acne Articles

When pores and hair follicles become aggravated and develop blemishes on the skin surface it is known as acne. These marks can take many forms including zits, cysts, abscesses, black heads, and in more severe cases even scarring. Acne most often happens in both women and men during the teenage stage known as puberty. This is when the body begins to develop obvious hormonal changes as a result of developing into a mature, adult body capable of sexual reproduction. Acne often affects teenage boys, but it is not limited to just them. Acne can affect both genders of all ages; sometimes all the way through their entire adult lives. This is less common but without a doubt not irregular.

Pustules are red sores that are filled with pus and have a whitish or yellowish hue. Whiteheads and blackheads form from pustules. They are round sores that have become inflamed because of aggravated sebaceous glands. The body has lots of sebaceous glands that produce an oil-like chemical known as sebum. When the skin is exposed to an excess of sebum, the hair follicles and pores become irritated and infected. Cysts are bigger pus filled sores that appear on the surface but are actually deep within the epidermis. Because of the size and depth of the inflammation, cysts are often very painful and can be as large as an inch across the affected area. They appear as a result of the contents of a comedo moving across the affected area and the bodies defense mechanism of developing pus to minimize these aspects. Cysts can leave deep and permanent scars. There are two major types of pimples; non-inflammatory acne and inflammatory acne. The non-inflammatory category is seperated into two categories; closed and open comedo. A closed comedo is otherwise called a whitehead and develops on the skin as a small whitish or yellowish bump. An open comedo is otherwise called a blackhead. A build-up of dirt, despite what many say, is not the cause of blackheads. It is actually a build-up of melanin, a chemical that makes up the hue of the skin. Blackheads and whiteheads can be prevented and controlled by using anti-inflammatory cleaners like Proactive or others that have aloe vera.

Blemishes that appear more obviously on the skin are known as inflammatory acne. Inflammatory acne can most obviously be seen on the face, but can appear on a variety of other spots on the body like the shoulders, neck, chest, upper arms, scalp, back, and legs. The most typical form of acne observed is the pimple. A pimple is when the pore or hair follicle becomes agitated and forms tiny red sores on the skin surface. This is usually the end result of a number of signs that are visible before the actual sore is fully formed. These signs include blackheads, whiteheads, cysts, and pustules. Blackheads are clogged pores that have a darker hue with an open end at the top of the skin. They are most often found on the nose, but can also be observed on the cheeks and forehead as well. Closed comedos are slightly different in that they don't have a pore opening. They are marks that seem to be bulged out from under the skin. Whiteheads will most often turn into pustules if not irritated for a couple of days. If the pimples are squeezed or popped, they will commonly become more infected and could lead to permanent scarring. So it is an excellent idea to leave the closed comedos alone. People with whiteheads would be better off using a gently exfoliating cleanser, such as Proactive solution or Noxema.

Whatever kind of acne there is, there is an effective treatment that is out there and available.More knowledge of the different kinds of acne will give the patient a more complete idea of what the most effective form of medication will be. Remember, blemishesdoesn’t have to make you suffer all your life. With a little research and time anyone can find the treatment that is perfect for them.